R. Kelly accused by parents of holding their daughters in 'sex cult'

R. Kelly has been accused by the parents of several women of controlling their lives by indoctrinating them into a sex "cult".

The parents of an aspiring singer who met the 50-year-old singer backstage when she was 19 and allegedly embarked on a relationship with him claim they have not seen their daughter since December 2016.

The concerned mom and dad, named in the report only as J. and Tim, have filed a report with Johns Creek Police Department accusing Kelly, full name Robert Sylvester Kelly, of keeping their daughter as part of a "cult" and accusing him of being "abusive and of "controlling her daughter."

In an investigative report carried out by BuzzFeed News, the parents told the news outlet that the last time they saw their child she resembled a cult member.

"It was as if she was brainwashed. (She) looked like a prisoner - it was horrible," J. said. "I hugged her and hugged her. But she just kept saying she's in love and (Kelly) is the one who cares for her. I don't know what to do. I hope that if I get her back, I can get her treatment for victims of cults. They can reprogram her. But I wish I could have stopped it from happening."

Two other parents also accused the star of controlling the life of their daughter, who met the singer when she was 17 years old.

While three former associates of the "I Believe I Can Fly" singer, Cheryl Mack, Kitti Jones, and Asante McGee alleged six women live in a guest house at Kelly's home in Duluth, Georgia and a recording studio in Chicago.

They accused him of controlling the women's lives, their sex lives, which they accuse him of documenting, as well as allegedly filming their sexual encounters, reported the news outlet.

According to BuzzFeed editors police officers in the two cities have performed welfare checks on the properties the women live in but found nothing illegal.

In 2002, Kelly was indicted in Chicago on 21 counts of child pornography after a video emerged which was alleged to show him urinating on an underage girl, however at a 2008 trial the musician was acquitted on all charges. He was also alleged to have illegally married the late R&B singer Aaliyah when she was underage.

Kelly's lawyer, Linda Mensch denied the allegations in a statement given to BuzzFeed News.

"We can only wonder why folks would persist in defaming a great artist who loves his fans, works 24/7, and takes care of all of the people in his life He works hard to become the best person and artist he can be," she wrote. "It is interesting that stories and tales debunked many years ago turn up when his goal is to stop the violence; put down the guns; and embrace peace and love. I suppose that is the price of fame. Like all of us, Mr. Kelly deserves a personal life. Please respect that."